Essex/Kent Motor Cruiser berthing suggestions please.

[Toutvabien]

Posting on behalf of the brother, who is purchasing a 30 foot motor cruiser as his first boat.

He is trying to identify suitable, reasonably priced, locations for mooring/berthing where he might find himself part of a community of motor boaters. He lives close to the A13 so most of Essex and Kent are within easy reach.

As it is a first boat he does not want to join me down at Ramsgate where the open sea beckons, he will feel more confident starting with a river location. The boat has twin diesel engines with outdrives, so I assume that it can dry out if necessary.

Any suggestions for clubs/marinas that he might find hospitable?

 

[toad]

Essex marina on the Crouch?http://www.essexmarina.co.uk/index.shtml

 

[Mike_Martin]

I was going to say try Essex Marina but Toad beat me to it. From memory large and spacious (ish) Marina, nicley located.
Mike

 

[oldgit]

The Medway can offer sheltered cruising all the way from Faversham(via the Swale) in the east right up to the freshwater bit past Allington and on to Tonbridge in the west.Things get bit difficult above Maidstone only due to airdraft and how much water you need to float.Thing is,seems bit far to come all the way from Essex everytime you want to boat.Quess you need to add about 3/4 of an hour once you get to tunnel.Prob 10 or so larger mooring places ranging form last resting place type boatyards through to posh marinas and loads of club moorings.
In the past,it has been mainly sailing area but mobos are taking over fast.

 

[AJW]

Howabout Bradwell or Blackwater marina's? Nicer sheltered cruising on the Blackwater & Colne than the Crouch IMHO. Downside is its a bit of a drag from the A13. In fact another alternative might be whizz up the A12 to Ipswich area and Neptune Marina there - gives access to Orwell, Stour, Walton Backwaters etc etc?
It used to take me less time to drive to Suffolk Yacht Harbour from Upminster Jn 29 of M25 than to Bradwell!

 

[Toutvabien]

Essex Marina and Blackwater Marina are ineresting suggestions, the Medway seems quite attractive too as they can get to Rochester in about 40 minutes from home. Anybody know the sp on Medway Pier Marina or Medway Bridge Marina, what would they charge for a 9 metre boat?

 

[tr7v8]

We looked at Gillingham, Chatham Maritime & Medway Bridge.
Medway Bridge very exposed and a bit of a DIY atmosphere which SWMBO hated, also heard some people complain of dirt, rubber dust from adjacent M2 bridge.
Not the easiest place to find either!
Chatham Maritime very nice, an MDL marina and most popular with forumites, 24 hour lock but again fairly exposed.
Gillingham was the one we ended up with very sheltered & secure, not as nice loos as Chatham. Currently paying around £ 1,900 PA for 8 metres, Chatham was about the same with MWB being a fair bit cheaper.

 

[D3B]

I was looking at Wolverstone (MDL) last year. they appear to have vacancies cause they sent me some details.

 

[neale]

How about joining a club? There are a couple that would fit the bill such as Canvey Island Yacht club, plenty of MoBo's and Wakering Yacht club, all MoBo's. Both would offer very cheap moorings compared to commercial marina although access times might be a bit offputting. WYC is something like HW +/- 1hr. Canvey may be a bit better. Both these easy access from A13.

Neale

 

[mirabriani]

Also at Gillingham you have a choice.
If you can dry out, you can save money.
It will, of course, restrict your access to the river.

Regards Briani

 

[SP2]

Hi

We live 1 minute from the A13 and about 10 mins from J30/31 M25 and the Dartford Crossing. We spect 2002 in Foxes, Ipswich, 2003 in West Wick on the Crouch and 2004/5 at Chatham Maritime.

Travelling to Kent is far easier and quicker than the Essex rivers due to the road network and only once has the crossing been a complete no go (burning warehouses!)

I would not recommend the Crouch - there is just too much mud to pass before you get anywhere. We love the variety of the Medway, and Chatham Maritime is a friendly well run marina. Agree the comment re Medway Bridge - it is an old marina and suffers as a result - just like West Wick on the Crouch.

For 10 metres Chatham is about £2K a year

It can be exposed in Chatham if you are moored on the extremes - we have just moved into the heart of the moorings which is much better.

Mike

 

[chrisarvor]

i have aboat in essex marina nice boaty people but not the people that run the place the most unhelpful w£$%^rs you could meet